Nairobi court has summoned a police investigation officer to personally explain how over KSh 30,000 vanished from police officer Charles Lotira’s M-Pesa and Fuliza accounts, following the confiscation and subsequent return of his mobile phone. The PIN, allegedly surrendered during the seizure, is believed to have been used to carry out unauthorized withdrawals.
Lotira, currently facing separate criminal charges in Turkana, told the court that the withdrawals occurred shortly after the phone was returned.His lawyer, Advocate Danstan Omari, emphasized the seriousness of the breach: “This incident raises serious questions about the integrity of officers handling digital devices and the protection of confidential information belonging to accused persons. The court must determine how the PIN was accessed, who executed the transactions, and whether the handling of the phone compromised Lotira’s financial security.”
The court, presided over by Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi, ordered the investigating officer to provide a detailed account of the alleged breach. Lotira has also signaled his intention to summon mobile service providers to produce data, including timestamps, device logs, and transaction records, to clarify how the funds were withdrawn.
In 2022, the Central Bank of Kenya reported that 25.9% of mobile money users had lost funds through cybercrime, showing systemic vulnerabilities.The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) has also taken active measures, freezing accounts linked to financial fraud totaling KSh 330 million.
The ongoing investigation into Lotira’s case introduces new scrutiny over officers’ conduct and the security protocols surrounding digital financial services, raising extensive questions about accountability and integrity within law enforcement.
